Last Saturday, Trinity was packed for our annual Single Parent’s Fair. Part of Tandem, our work amongst single parents in the church and our community, the single parent’s fair is organised to provide a day of advice on issues such as housing, benefits and finances. As well as practical help with these and many other issues, the day provides many fun and activities for children, and a range of beauty treatments and treats for the parents.

According to recent statistics, approximately one quarter of children in the UK are now part of family units headed up by a single parent – the vast majority of which are working mums and dads in their 30’s and 40’s who are trying to do their best in circumstance they didn’t choose. Most live in rented accommodation, much of it poor quality. The trends are significant – with the number of single parent familes having trebled in the last 30 years.

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Started in 2001 with the first Single Parents Fair, Tandem has grown so that now every month Trinity hosts a morning where single parents and their children can come and meet together, share stories and concerns, and find a real place of connection with the church. Every summer, Tandem also hold a day on a local farm where single parents can come for a family day out whilst their cars are serviced by a team of mechanics.

Kath Lynch, leader of Tandem spoke of the day: “We know that life can often be tough for single parents, and whilst what we can offer won’t solve all their problems, we hope that they leave the Fair feeling loved and supported.”

A huge team of people come together to make these days happen – whether people at the advice desks, those providing the wacky workshops for Kidz on such things as circus skills or puppets, or those on a photographic team taking family photos.

For more information, please visit the Tandem page, or email tandem@trinitycheltenham.com